Officer-Involved Shooting in Thousand Oaks 

October 26, 2024 – Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that a deputy from the Thousand Oaks Police Department was involved in an officer-involved shooting incident (OIS) in the city of Thousand Oaks.

On October 24, 2024, at approximately 6:22 A.M., deputies from the Thousand Oaks Police Station responded to the Ventu Park Shopping Center, located in the 500 block of Ventu Park Road, in reference to a call of a disturbance.  Prior to arriving at the scene, the call was updated to a suspect threatening others with a machete.  When deputies arrived at the scene, they attempted to detain the suspect, who was holding a machete in his hand, but he was non-compliant.

A deputy deployed a Taser, but it was ineffective, and the suspect fled on foot.  Deputies pursued the suspect, who then entered a business within the shopping center.  The suspect was holding the machete and approached employees in a threatening manner, prompting an officer involved shooting.

Deputies rendered aid on the suspect, and he was ultimately transported by ambulance to a local hospital, where he is currently listed in critical condition.  No deputies were injured during the incident.

Sheriff’s investigators later learned that prior to the arrival of deputies at the scene, the suspect had been involved in a disturbance at the Palm Garden Hotel, at which time he used the machete to break a window of a hotel room.  The suspect then walked to the 76 Gas Station, where he assaulted a male victim with the machete and carjacked the same victim’s vehicle.  The victim sustained a minor injury.

The suspect then walked away from the carjacked vehicle and confronted a different male victim who was inside his parked vehicle in the parking lot of the shopping center.  The suspect used his machete to vandalize the victim’s vehicle.  This victim sustained no injuries.

The Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit is investigating this incident in conjunction with the District Attorney’s Office. The deputy involved in this OIS has been placed on administrative leave. This is standard protocol for the Sheriff’s Office whenever a deputy is involved in an OIS.

The Sheriff’s Office prioritizes transparency and public safety. Further details of the incident are currently under investigation. If you have any information about the incident, please contact Detective Sergeant Francisco Jauregui at (805) 384- 4737.

In compliance with California AB748 body worn footage will be released within 45 days.

Source: Ventura County Sheriff's Office